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November 9, 2009 6:56 AM PST

Get a Wi-Fi multifunction printer for $59

by Rick Broida
  • 21 comments

Lexmark's X4650 multifunction printer works over Wi-Fi--or with the bundled USB cable.

(Credit: Wal-Mart)

In the market for a new printer? Might as well get one that doubles as a scanner and copier. And one that works without wires.

Wal-Mart has the Lexmark X4650 wireless all-in-one printer for $59. Shipping will run you 97 cents, though you can skip that by opting for store pickup. Either way, plan on paying sales tax.

As most of you know, I hold Wi-Fi printers in the same high regard as chocolate-covered caramels and Jessica Alba. The X4650 connects to your Wi-Fi router for blissfully wireless printing and scanning.

Ironically, Wal-Mart bundles a 10-foot Tripp Lite gold-plated USB cable, just in case you're not planning to go the Wi-Fi route.

The X4650 offers dual-cartridge printing. If you want the best possible photo results, you can swap in a photo-ink cartridge for the black one and enjoy six-color output.

The downside is that, as with most inkjets, cartridges cost a pretty penny. Plan on dropping at least $25 for each replacement--a little less if you go the remanufactured route.

The printer supports all the latest versions of Windows and Mac OS X. Though it lacks fax capabilities, it can scan to your PC's fax modem (if it has one) and also offers a handy scan-to-e-mail option.

In short, it's a fairly basic multifunction printer, one that sold for $130 when it debuted about a year ago. CNET hasn't reviewed it, but the reviews I've seen elsewhere have been mostly positive. (The only real ding is relatively slow printing.)

In any case, $59 for a Wi-Fi-equipped all-in-one is a rare find. Definitely worth considering.

The following product mentioned is available.

On Sale Now: $69.93 - $103.52
View the latest prices for Lexmark X4650

September 2, 2009 6:25 AM PDT

Get a Dell multifunction printer for $29 shipped

by Rick Broida
  • 13 comments

Print, scan, and copy for $29. Do I need to say anything more?

(Credit: Dell)

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to...

Wait a minute. This sounds familiar. Oh, right, I wrote up an MFP last Wednesday. But that deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one photo printer is long gone. And anyway, there was a rebate involved. Blech! Ptooey!

No rebates this time. Dell has the V105 multifunction printer for just $29 shipped. (You may have to pony up a couple bucks for sales tax.)

As you might expect, this is a fairly bare-bones model--but remember that it's more than just a printer. It also scans and copies (in color or monochrome) via a letter-size flatbed.

The V105 supports one tricolor and one black ink cartridge (replacements sell for around $20 apiece). You can also swap in a photo cartridge for your matte/glossy needs. However, and this is important, only the tricolor cartridge comes in the box. You can print without the black cartridge, but you'll burn through ink that much faster.

Speaking of photos, the V105 can produce borderless prints up to 5x7 inches. There's also a one-touch photo copy feature (for easily duplicating 4x6-inch prints).

Unsurprisingly, this model doesn't fax, nor does it support any connections other than USB. (Cable not included; here's a six-footer for $1.02.) It has no memory-card slots and no LCD preview screen. And the bundled software is Windows-only.

Still, $29 for an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier? I haven't found any substantial reviews of this model, but if you have simple print/scan/copy needs, this is a pretty low-risk investment.

By the way, this deal ends tomorrow, September 3--and it could easily sell out before then--so I'd click fast.

August 26, 2009 6:29 AM PDT

Get an Epson all-in-one photo printer for $39.99

by Rick Broida
  • 20 comments

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. No more running to Kinkos every time you need to make a few copies or send a fax. And right now, OfficeMax has an insanely good deal on the Epson Workforce 500 all-in-one: it's $59.99 shipped.

Now, I know the headline says $39.99, so what gives? If you're willing to sign up for a MaxPerks account (it's free), you'll get a rebate in the form of a $20 prepaid VISA card, which is more or less the same as cash.

This fully loaded multifunction printer can be yours for just $39.99 (after an automated rebate).

(Credit: Epson)

The Workforce 500 (which is new, not a refurb) features a 30-sheet auto document feeder, memory card slots for all the major formats, and a 2.5-inch color LCD for previewing photos before printing.

In addition to cranking out photos and documents, the Workforce can send and receive faxes and scan and copy anything that fits on its letter-size flatbed. It also comes with OCR software--a nice perk.

My favorite feature: individual ink tanks (one each for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). That cuts way down on ink waste, as you replace only those cartridges that need replacing.

The only missing ingredient is Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi connectivity. Alas, this model's USB only. (OfficeMax's product page mentions parallel as well, but that's a mistake. This isn't 1993.) See Epson's product page for full specs and details.

I haven't found many professional reviews of the Workforce 500, but the user reviews I've read have been mixed. The big complaint: The ink cartridges run out quickly.

Still, given that you're essentially getting a free multifunction printer for about the price of a set of cartridges, I think it's hard to argue with this deal. I may pick one up just so my kids can print and copy stuff.

May 5, 2009 7:56 AM PDT

Print, scan, copy, fax + Wi-Fi = $86 shipped

by Rick Broida
  • 12 comments

See you in hell, USB cables! The Lexmark X6675 multifunction works over Wi-Fi.

(Credit: Buy.com)

Multifunction printers are insanely handy. You can make copies--color copies--without having to run to Kinko's. You can send faxes like it's 1995. You can scan documents for electronic storage. Oh, and you can print.

Indeed, the only thing better than a multifunction printer is a wireless multifunction printer, one you can stick in a corner, a closet, or wherever. Like, say, the Lexmark X6675, which Buy.com has for $85.99 shipped.

These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to monkey with any rebates. Nor do you need an Ethernet or USB cable (though it does support USB connections), as the X6675 works over Wi-Fi.

No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.

Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.

Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. Nearly 30 users on Buy.com rated it 4.5 stars out of 5--a damn good average. The Lexmark lists for $150, so you're getting quite the deal.

January 26, 2009 5:55 AM PST

Print, scan, copy, and fax without wires for $92

by Rick Broida
  • 10 comments

This business-class multifunction printer cuts the cord with Wi-Fi.

(Credit: Buy.com)

It's a printer. It's a fax machine. It's a copier. It's a scanner. It's four, four, FOUR machines in one! And...wait for it...it's wireless, too! Yep, the Lexmark X6675 multifunction printer dispenses with pesky USB cables in favor of 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Buy.com has the Lexmark X6675 for $91.99 shipped.

These are new units, not refurbs, and you don't have to mess around with any rebates. (If you do decide to go the USB route, however, it's BYO: cable not included.)

No mere entry-level all-in-one, the X6675 boasts some solid specs, including 25-page-per-minute black printing and 18-ppm color. It can print photos directly from a memory card and documents from a USB drive, and it can scan straight to the latter. It also features a 25-page auto document feeder for scanning and copying.

Unfortunately, the X6675 lacks an LCD for previewing photos and the like before printing. That's my only real complaint, as it reduces the unit's functionality as a standalone photo printer.

Still, you know how much I love wireless printers, and this would be pretty ideal for a home or small office. I haven't found many reviews of this particular model, though a pair of users on Buy.com gave it five stars.

January 5, 2009 6:19 AM PST

Print, scan, copy with $55 Epson Stylus Photo printer

by Rick Broida
  • 3 comments

This multifunction photo printer normally sells for $150 or more.

(Credit: Epson)

Epson's having a rare sale: you can get a refurbished Epson Stylus Photo RX595 all-in-one printer for just $55 shipped.

What's significant about this model? Most of the cheapie multifunction printers I come across have low-end print engines, meaning they're not great for photos. The Stylus Photo RX595, as you might infer from the name, was built with glossies in mind.

It accepts just about any memory card on the planet (USB drives, too), previews images on a 2.5-inch color LCD, and prints using a six-cartridge system. It can also print on CDs and DVDs, scan directly to PDF, and crop/edit photos--no PC required.

CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but it rates 3.5 stars from Amazon customers. It's Windows- and Mac-compatible; all users will need to supply their own USB cable. Thankfully, even though this is a refurb, Epson backs it with a full one-year warranty.

One final note: Yes, replacement ink is expensive. That's true of all printers. So you might as well get the best possible deal on the hardware.

December 2, 2008 5:32 AM PST

Get a Wi-Fi multifunction printer for $75 shipped

by Rick Broida
  • 11 comments

Check out the wide-screen LCD on this wireless MFP.

(Credit: Buy.com)
Fwip-fwip-fwip. That's the sound of my beanie propeller spinning furiously. You see, Buy.com has the Brother MFC-490CW multifunction printer on sale for $75.24 shipped. Why all the fwipping? Because this baby's wireless.

As regular readers know, I've seen sweet deals on wireless inkjets and lasers and on Ethernet-equipped multifunction printers. But I've never seen such a great price on a wireless MFP.

Built for smallish offices, the Brother MFC-490CW prints, scans, copies, and faxes, all in color. It features an unusually large (3.3-inch) wide-screen LCD, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, a media-card reader, and a 15-sheet document feeder.

It also has a couple offbeat features I find cool, like the option to scan documents directly to a USB flash drive. I particularly like the four-cartridge ink system, which eliminates the ink waste associated with tri-color cartridges.

I have an older, less wireless Brother MFP I use for making copies, sending faxes, and the like, and to my thinking it's a compact champ. It's rare enough to find a network-ready MFP at a price this low, but wireless? Icing!

September 10, 2008 5:50 AM PDT

Get a 64-bit HP Pavilion desktop for $599.99

by Rick Broida
  • 15 comments

There's an embarrassment of riches inside this compact case.

(Credit: HP)

The HP Pavilion s3500t is a sleek, ultracompact desktop that you can configure to your liking at Hewlett-Packard's online store. For an extremely limited time, HP is offering a $100 instant rebate on the s3500t or $400 off with coupon code DT1158. You can use the latter only when your config hits $999--but getting there is half the fun.

Starting with the base configuration, I selected Vista Home Premium 64-bit (!), the Intel E4700 processor, 4GB of RAM, the 256MB Nvidia video card with HDMI, and the Blu-ray player. To inch the total up to $999, I also added the HP 2.1 speakers with remote and HP multimedia keyboard with HP optical mouse. (Note: monitor not included.)

That, my friends, is a pretty killer load-out. I didn't even mention the 500GB hard drive that comes standard. Shipping is free, though you may have to pay sales tax.

If you're in the market for a powerful media-center PC, here's your chance to save some big bucks on a sleek, compact system. Note that you can't apply the coupon (which expires after 900 uses, so act fast!) until you get to the payment page.

August 21, 2008 6:34 AM PDT

Print, copy, and scan with $29 multifunction printer

by Rick Broida
  • 4 comments

Normally $79, the Epson CX7450 multifunction is on sale for $29.

(Credit: Target)

Head to your local Target to scoop up an Epson Stylus CX7450 multifunction printer for the impossibly good price of $29 (plus tax). It prints, copies, and scans in color, employs a smart ink system, and doesn't require you to wait on a rebate.

Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, the CX7450 employs four separate ink cartridges (one each for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) and promises print speeds of up to 28 pages per minute. It includes a memory-card reader, a 120-sheet paper tray, and fairly basic scan/copy features. Alas, it lacks an LCD for previewing photos, but if you connect your camera (the CX7450 supports PictBridge), you can use its LCD to select pix for printing.

CNET hasn't reviewed this model, but it averaged four stars out of five from Target buyers and about the same over at Walmart (where it's currently selling for $79.88!). Note that you'll need to BYO USB cable, but for heaven's sake, don't buy it at Target: You can pick up a six-footer from Meritline for $2.99 shipped.

August 13, 2008 6:50 AM PDT

Get Dell's Wi-Fi all-in-one printer for $79 shipped

by Rick Broida
  • 11 comments

(Credit: Dell)

I'll never buy another printer that requires a cable. Wireless printing, that's the ticket. Fortunately, you don't have to pay a premium for this enviable capability, as evidenced by Dell's V305w--an all-in-one model currently on sale for $79.

Shipping is free (make sure to choose three-to-five day delivery at checkout), though you'll probably have to pony up a few bucks for sales tax.

The Wi-Fi-enabled V305w features a 100-sheet input tray, borderless photo printing up to 8.5 inches by 14 inches, and media-card slots for printing photos without your PC. (Alas, there's no preview LCD.)

Dell promises 25 pages per minute for black printing, 18 ppm for color, and 17 ppm for copying--impressive speeds given the entry-level nature of this model. You'll pay around $19 for replacement blank black cartridges and $25 for color.

The V305w works only with Windows systems, and it can be plugged into a USB port if necessary. (It even comes with a cable, which is weird). CNET has yet to review this model, but check out the gushing user reviews at Dell's site.

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About The Cheapskate

The best things in tech are cheap. "The Cheapskate" scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets, and all the other tech stuff that makes life worth living. Send your own cheapskate tips to thecheapskate@gmail.com. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers.

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